Improvement in mowing-machines



'2 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. D. MINNIOK. Mowing-Machine.

No. 210,622. I Patented Dec. 10,;1878.

mains, PHOTO-LITHOQRAFHER. wnsnmemu. n c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LORENZO D. MINNIOK, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MOWING-MACHINES.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 210,622, dated December 10, 1878; application filed September 19, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1,LoRENzo D. MINNIGK, of the city of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mowing-Machines, of which the following is a specifica a plan view of a mowing-machine embodying my invention, of which Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a front elevation. Fig. 4, is a lengthwise vertical cut on dotted line 00, as seen from the left-hand side of the machine. Fig.5 is a lengthwise vertical section cut on dotted line y, as seen from the left-hand side of the machine.

In the several figures, A represents. traction-wheels, mounted loosely on an axle, a, and are provided with ratchets and pawls, which cause the axle to revolve with the wheels in their forward movement, and permit the wheels in their backward movement to revolve on the axle. These parts are in every particular substantially the same as found in some mowing-machines now in use.

B represents the main frame, which is of plate form and of proper outline, as represented, adapted to furnish bearings and supports for the several parts of the machine, and is mounted on the axle a in such a manner as to permit the axle to revolve freely in its bearings in the frame. This frame is provided with a forwardextending-arm, to which the tongue 0 is connected, and from its forward edge projects an arm, b, which forms the support in which the crank-shaft c is fitted to revolve. To this extent this main frame may be considered substantially the same as other frames found in mowing-machines now in use. This frame is formed with a fixed portion of a gear-case c, of

eufficient size and suitable form to admit the several gear-wheels to revolve on and about the axle. This gear-case is open on its under side, for a purpose hereinafter to be explained.

d represents an internal gear-wheel, mounted loosely on the axle within the gear-case. The

hub of this gearwheel is provided with a sawtoothed clutch, adapted to receive a similar toothed clutch feathered to slide lengthwise on the axle and to revolve therewith. This clutch is operated by means of the weighted lever c, moving in the oblique slot 0 in cap 6, which will slide the feathered clutch in contact with the clutch-toothed hub of the internal gear-wheel, or release it therefrom, as the Weighted lever is moved forward or backward in the oblique slot.

f represents a spur-pinion, and f a beveltoothed gear-wheel, fixed or formed on the ends of the sleeve f, fitted to revolve on the axle, and placed thereon in such position that the spur-pinion f shall be-in the same plane with the internal gear-wheel. g are intermediate gear-wheels placed on opposite sides of the axle, between the pinion f and the internal gear-wheel, cl, in such relative position that the teeth of the several wheels shall engage each other in a working manner.

At h is shown the lower detachable portion of the gear-case, constructed in a separate piece, of proper form to close the opening in the fixed portion of the gear-case c, to which it is firmly secured by sufficient screw-bolts. This lower detached portion of the gear-case is constructed'with arms h, which rise from its inside, one in front and the other in rear of the axle, and their upper ends are provided with stud-journals, which project from their sides, and on which the intermediate gearwheels, g, are fitted to revolve.

The opening in the lower portion of the fixed case 0 freely admits the arms h, with the studs on which the intermediate gears revolve, to be passed upward through it into position in the case.

By this construction of the gear-case in separate parts, having the arms on which the intermediate gear-wheels are supported separate from. the main frame or bed-plate, I am enabled to mount the intermediate gear-wheels with greater accuracy and with less labor than when the parts are cast with the frame in one piece; and in case the supporting-arms, from any cause, be rendered unserviceable, they can be readily replaced without renewing the main frame, and there is less liability to lose the parts in casting than when cast in one piece.

0 represents the crank-wheel shaft, fitted to revolve in bearings in the supporting-arm b of the main frame. Its inner end is fitted with a bevel-toothed pinion, i, the teeth of which engage the teeth of the bevel-toothed wheel f, and its outer end is provided with the crankwheel 5, which carries the wrist-pin, to impart motion to the cutting-knife by pitmanconnection, as common in such machines. The gearcase is provided with an upper hinged portion to inclose the gear-wheels, as is common in this class of machines.

At D is shown a yoke, consisting of arms which curve downward and outward, and between which is pivoted the shoe E by arms j, which rise from its upper face, and are connected by pivot-bolts, which pass lengthwise of the machine through each pair of depending arms of the yoke and uprising ears of the shoe, the axis of the pivot-bolts being parallel with the line of draft. F is a finger-bar of the usual form, fixed to the shoe as it is common to connect such parts, and the finger-bar is provided -with fingers adapted to receive a cutting-knife of the usual construction in the usual manner. The inner portion of the yoke D is provided with an inward-projecting arm, grooved or recessed to receive the outer end of the coupling-arm G, which is firmly bolted thereto. The yoke D is formed with a dependin gstop-arm, j, and the shoe Ewith an uprising stop-arm, j, which meet and limit the downward movement of the finger-bar relatively with the coupling-arm. The draw-bar G extends across the forward end of the machine in front of the traction-wheels, and its extreme end is made in an offset hook form, as clearly shown at k, which hooks into an eye formed in the forward portion of the rib k, formed 011 the under side of the crank-shaft-supporting arm I). This offset hook-connection of the coupling-arm with the main frame permits a free up-and-down movement of the outer end of the coupling-arm and the parts thereto attached, to permit the cutting apparatus to be carried at any height within the limits of the devices, and it also permits a free axial or rolling movement of the cutting apparatus, to permit the guard-fingers to be elevated or depressed, to cut higher or lower, as may be required. This offset hook-connection furnishes a close connection, to resist a pulling or pushing force lengthwise of the coupling-arm, and it also furnishes a ready means of connecting and disconnecting the coupling-arm with the machine, which is accomplished simply by hookin g or unhooking the parts.

I represents a draft-arm fixed to the outer portion of the coupling arm, and extending in front and rear thereof. Its forward extension is made in eye form forward of the coupling-arm, and receives the offset hook m, formed on the forward end of the pushbar H, in such a manner as to permit a pushing and pulling resistance, and to permit the rocking or axial movement of the couplingarm, and its offset hook form permits it to be readily connected or disconnected without loosening or removing bolts. The push-bar H extends from its connection with the draft-arm rearward, and is pivoted at its rear end on a stud, m, projecting laterally from the side of the down-curving arm I, which extends from the main frame rearward. This pivotal connection of the push-bar permits the free up-and-down movement of the cutting apparatus, and by means of the forward connection of the push-bar with the draft-arm being forward of the coupling-arm I produce a machine with the cutting apparatus forward of the traction-wheels, possessing the advantages of a rear-cut machine, while 1 obviate the more serious objections existing in the rear-cut machine.

The rear portion of the draft-arm Z extends upward and rearward obliquely across the vertical face of the push-bar, and is provided with a central lengthwise slot, which receives a stud, a, projecting from the forward end of the sliding head a, fitted to slide lengthwise on the push-bar.

From this arrangement it will be seen that if the sliding head be moved lengthwise on the. push-bar the action of the stud a, moving lengthwise in the slot in the draft-arm, will cause the coupling-arm and the parts therewith connected to rock. This action, when the movement of the sliding head is forward on the bar, will cause the depression of the finger guards, and when rearward thereon will elevate them to cause the machine to cut higher or lower.

0 represents a hand-lever,pivoted on the same stud, m, on which the push-bar is pivoted. 0 is a connecting-rod, pivoted to the hand-lever and to the sliding head in such a manner that the backward and forward movement of the free end of the lever will cause the sliding head to move back and forth 011 the push-bar, which movement, through its connection with the finger-bar, will elevate or depress the guardfingers. 0 is a segment, the center hub of which is mounted on the stud m, on which the lever is pivoted. Its segmental portion is provided with a series of holes adapted to receive a stud, which projects from the side of the lever, and serves to hold the lever in any adjusted position, to regulate the height of the cut of the machine.

1) represents a saw-toothed segment, mounted on the forward portion of the main frame, to the center of which is pivoted a hand-lever, 1), having its lower portion of segment sheave form, adapted to receive the lifting-chain p", which is connected to the coupling-arm and to 'the lever in such a manner that the rear move ment of the lever will lift the coupling-arm and the cutting apparatus thereto attached.

1' is a hooking spring-pawl, pivoted to the hand-lever, and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet, to hold the cutting apparatus in an elevated position.

8 represents a thumb-lever, pivoted to the handle end of the hand-lever, an d is connected to the spring-pawl by a suitable connectingrod, t. B y meansof this connection the springpawl can be disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet to lower the cutting apparatus.

U represents a brace-rod, which connects the depending end of the down-curving arm I with the under center portion of the main frame, and is employed to re-enforce the downcurving arm to resist the rearward thrust of the push-bar.

By means of this re-enforcement I am enabled to produce a stronger and more reliable machine in this respect and at a less weight. The portion of the main frame rearward of the gear-case is extended, and is slotted to freely admit the seat-spring '0, which extends down through the slot on the outside of the case, to which its lower end is firmly bolted. The upper end of the seat-spring is bent in proper form, and receives the seat to, which is firmly bolted thereto.

By this construction I am enabled to fix the seat-spring with seat mounted thereon firmly in place, an d the bolt is relieved from the strain exerted on the springin supporting the driver.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with the main frame of a mowing-machine, of a straight or practically straight coupling-arm, the inner end of which is provided with a hook, which engages with the main frame at a point in advance'of the supporting-axle, and the outer end having the shoe or arm thereof rigidly secured thereto, whereby the coupling-arm is adapted to be readily detached from the frame, and may be moved vertically and radially, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the coupling-arm, of a push-bar provided with a hooked end attached to the upper side and front portion of the couplingarm, whereby the push-bar is held from lateral displacement, and the couplin g-arm is allowed a rocking movement thereon, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a slotted draftarm rigidly secured to the coupling-arm, of a sliding head connected with the push-bar, said sliding head provided with a stud which engages in the inclined slot in the draft-arm, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a slotted draft arm rigidly secured to the coupling-arm, of a sliding head connected with the push-bar, and a hand-lever, ratchet device, and connectingrod for moving the sliding head to and fro on the push-bar, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with thefixed gear-case, of the removable portion having upward-rising arms provided with stud-journals, on which the intermediate gear-wheels are fitted to revolve, substantially as set forth.

LORENZO 1). MINNICK.

Witnesses:

A. V. BEHEL, E. J. BEHEL. 

